A Guide To Shediac Camping: Best Campgrounds, Backcountry Camping, Tips & More!

Shediac is a seaside town in New Brunswick on the east coast of Canada. It’s known for its fabulous Parlee Beach, which is the warmest saltwater beach in Canada, providing clean, wide-open sandy spaces, managed beach activities, and plenty of lifeguards for family-friendly fun.

There are a massive range of campgrounds in Shediac too, both private and in provincial parks. From luxurious to rugged, you’ll find a camping site you’ll enjoy here. It’s that variety, along with everything on offer in the region, that makes us return for a Shediac camping adventure again and again.

In fact Shediac is surrounded by a huge range of environments that provide something for everyone. Be that shopping in town, eating delicious food and drinking in great restaurants, beaches to swim and enjoy, or going out boating to catch fish. There’s even forests to hike through and watch wildlife.

Shediac is also famous for being the so-called Lobster Capital Of The World! With a lobster festival celebrating that fact in July each year.

If you’re thinking of camping in Shediac then you’re in the right place! That’s because right here we will share with you our favorite Shediac campgrounds and show you what makes them unique, as well as what’s close by to each.

We then give you information on backcountry camping in Shediac, bear safety tips and share our favorite walks in the region. On top of that, we even have a free camping game for kids (and fun adults!) – that’s at the bottom of this article.

So read on to begin your Shediac camping adventure!

CONTENTS

1. The Best Campgrounds in Shediac
2. The Best Time to Camp in Shediac
3. Backcountry Camping in Shediac and New Brunswick
4. Bear Safety
5. Birdwatching and Scenic Walks in Shediac
6. Shediac Lobster Festival and Lobster Experience
7. Free Scavenger Hunt Camping Game

The Best Campgrounds In Shediac For Fun, Views & Adventure

Shediac has a range of campgrounds and the prices vary widely, as do each campground’s amenities and location.

To help you out, listed below are our favorite campgrounds in and around Shediac. We’ve included all the important information you need, so you can make the right decision about which one is perfect for you.

1. Camping Oceanic

Camping Oceanic provides RV and camping in the same spots, so it may not be ideal for people looking for peace and quiet in a tranquil environment. It’s open from May 13th to October 15th, though dates each year can change, so it’s best to confirm when they open and close on their website.

Along with fantastic facilities like a swimming pool (more on that below), this Shediac campground provides a range of events and activities as part of your stay.

Those social events help introduce you to other campers, and provide entertainment on holidays and special occasions, such as Canada Day, Halloween, and many others. It’s a very fun and sociable Shediac camping option!

Amenities and Facilities

Because the campground provides RV parking as well, there are a host of amenities and facilities you don’t get at campgrounds that are just for tents.

That includes shower and laundry facilities, a convenience store, a heated swimming pool, a children’s play area, and a fitness room!

What’s Close By

Only 700 meters from Camping Oceanic is the entrance to Parlee Beach Provincial Park, which isn’t your typical provincial park. It has the warmest salt water anywhere in Canada, as well as restaurants where you can sit out on a patio there tasting great food and drinking microbrew beer.

The warm water beach is perfect for swimming and relaxing in the sun. And there’s a range of marshes at either end, which are great for bird watching and finding shorebirds and waterfowl.

Also of interest in the park is a 210 site campground if you prefer to stay in a provincial park for a more rustic Shediac camping adventure (This campground is number four in our list if you want more information).

The provincial park facilities are open from May 20 to September 18, and camping is available from June 1 to October 1.

The Important Info

Rates: $42 per night

Address: 221 Ohio Rd, Shediac, NB E4P 2J8

2. Camping Parasol

Camping Parasol is centrally located and just a 5-minute walk to downtown Shediac, where you can shop, eat and resupply at all the local stores.

It provides RV and tent camping, which means campers get a range of benefits and facilities that aren’t always available at standard campgrounds.

The campsites are open from May 1 to October 1, though dates may change based on how the season and weather goes.

There is a large tented area for community events organized by the staff too, so if you’re interested in mingling with other campers, you’ll have the chance throughout the day and evening.

Amenities and Facilities

WiFi is available at most campsites, and if you don’t want to walk into town, there is an on-site store that provides ice, drinks, ice cream, and most importantly for camping, firewood.

There are washrooms, as well as pay-per-use showers and laundry facilities. If you need to dump your rubbish, that can be done for a fee.

As this Shediac campground sits right on the water there’s a boat launch available on site (see picture below) which is perfect if you happen to be traveling with a boat or even a kayak.

What’s Close By

Shediac is the Lobster Capital Of The World, and close by is a giant lobster attraction where you can visit and learn more about lobsters.

You’re close to a bike path that leads to Parlee Beach, which is a fantastic warm option for swimming during the summer. It’s also great for enjoying other beach activities, including volleyball, frisbee, football, sandcastle making, and other many other events throughout the summer.

The Important Info

Rates: $13 – $25 per night

Address: 205 Main St, Shediac, NB E4P 2A5

3. Sandy Beach Campground

Sandy Beach Campground provides spaces for RVs and tents. It’s the only private campground situated right on the water, so you can wake up every morning to the sounds of the ocean waves crashing on the shore!

The campground opens around May 20th each year and closes sometime in September or October depending on how the year goes.

It’s important to get in quick for your tent campsite though as the spaces are limited and they run out fast! There’s loads of activities organized on-site, including live music, (see more on that below) so if you end up staying here you may find it hard to leave!

Amenities and Facilities

Sandy Beach Campground offers free WiFi, washrooms, laundry facilities, a canteen for your grocery needs, and a sports ground for both adults and kids, including a basketball court.

The staff also arrange a considerable number of activities to make sure you have a great time. Those include games of basketball or beach volleyball against other visitors, as well as arranged soccer games. You can also take part in arts and crafts activities, which includes making sand sculptures or castles, depending on your skills.

The staff also organize live local bands on site, bingo for adults, dances, and even bonfires to enjoy in the evenings.

Pets are welcome too, and because Sandy Beach is a private beach, you can let your dog run around with the rest of the family for a full family-friendly environment.

What’s Close By

The biggest advantage of staying at Sandy Beach is the fantastic private beach (see a picture of that below) right on your doorstep.

This private beach is cleaned up and raked daily to ensure you have the best experience on a fantastic beach, and of course, you can go swimming and enjoy the warm waters too.

The Important Info

Rates: $32 per night

Address: 380 Chemin Bas-Cap-Pelé, Cap-Pelé, NB E4N 1J1

4. Parlee Beach Provincial Park Campground

Easily one of the best Shediac campgrounds is the Parlee Beach Provincial Park Campground, which provides 210 sites to set up camp from June to October each year.

There is a mix of tents, RVs, and even cabins available to match whatever camping needs you have.

You’re located in a great spacious and green campground which is situated only a short and easy 10-minute walk from the warm waters of Parlee Beach. And unlike some other provincial parks, this area is fully supervised and has a huge range of amenities to keep your camping life comfortable.

On top of all that, this Shediac camping option is one of the cheapest in the area too.

Amenities and Facilities

Included on-site is a campers store providing snacks and all the essentials you may need while camping.

You’ll also find a large amphitheater, changing rooms for swimming, washrooms and showers.

For kids, there is a large and safe playground, and for the whole family, there is a large picnic area with picnic tables.

What’s Close By

Just ten minutes from this Shediac campground is Parlee Beach where you can swim in the famous warm waters.

There’s lots of forests and hikes to enjoy, but unlike many provincial parks, this area is not just set up to enjoy nature. There’s also a range of restaurants and pubs to enjoy a nice meal at the park, and they even have a local microbrewery beer which is perfect to finish off your day!

Nearby you can also find shopping, marinas to go boating and fishing from, as well as a wharf to enjoy some on-shore fishing.

Each end of the famous Parlee Beach also has marshes which are a fantastic area for birdwatching, specifically a range of shorebirds and waterfowl. You can even spend a little time beachcombing to see what you find.

With all of that on offer, the location, and the fact staying here starts from just $13 a night, it’s easy to see why we love this Shediac camping option.

The Important Info

Rates: $13 per night

Address: 25 Gould Beach Rd, Pointe-du-Chêne, NB E4P 4J8

5. Shediac Southcove Campground

Shediac Southcove Campground combines RV and tent camping sites in a convenient location between Shediac and Parlee Beach. That gives you the best of the town’s amenities alongside the great outdoors and warm waters of Parlee Beach Provincial Park.

Another significant benefit of staying at Shediac Southcove Campground is that you’ll be able to play a round of golf on their on-site nine-hole golf course. That’s available for everybody of any level; having fun is the only requirement!

Also located on-site is direct access to the nature trail, which allows you to bike or walk easily to all the major sites in the local area, including downtown, tourist hotspots like Parlee Beach, and the Wharf.

Amenities and Facilities

For tent campers, you have the option of a basic site where you can still use the amenities throughout the park. Otherwise, you can upgrade to a two-service site that gives you electricity and freshwater direct to your campsite.

Available are washrooms and showers, free WiFi throughout the campground, and a convenience store for essential snacks.

You’ll also find large group areas for BBQs, fire pits in the evenings, picnic tables in beautiful grassy areas, and if you’re building a fire, then firewood is available for purchase.

There are also a range of organized family and group activities every day if you want some structure built into your day, or just want some fun at the park with other visitors.

What’s Close By

Almost everything in the surrounding area is close-by, thanks to the nearby nature trail you can access by walking or biking. You’re just 5 minutes from Parlee Beach for more organized and supervised beach activities, including sandcastle building, swimming, soccer, beach volleyball, and a range of other activities.

You’re also only 20 minutes away from seeing the twice-daily Moncton tidal bore, which is where the tides of the Bay of Fundy make their way up the Petitcodiac River which creates an almost 1-meter high wave going up the river – it’s quite a sight!

The Important Info

Rates: $35 – $39 per night

Address: 73 Belliveau Beach Rd, Pointe-du-Chêne, NB E4P 3W2

6. Camping Beausejour

Camping Beausejour provides RV and tented camping sites. Rustic tent camping is provided away from the RV sites in a quiet forested area so you can have a peaceful time, but you will still have easy access to all of the campground’s facilities.

There are eight rustic campsites to choose from, some further into the forested area than others. So depending on how much privacy or quiet you want, you’ll have a few different options.

Included throughout the year are fun activities on-site created by the staff, as well as live music, dancing, food, and activities to bring all of the guests together to mingle. It’s another very sociable and fun Shediac camping option.

Amenities and Facilities

Available in the campground is an internet cafe and cafe terrace where you can enjoy a coffee or drink on a warm day. There’s also a heated swimming pool, and a huge playground for the kids.

You’ll also find an on-site convenience store and a snack bar if you don’t want to leave the camp for food. On top of that you’ll find a full-service canteen that has a large dinner menu.

There’s the usual shared facilities too, such as showers, washrooms, and laundry facilities available to all guests.

What’s Close By

Camping Beausejour is a little further back from the beach area, so it’s a great camping spot for people to enjoy nature and the forest rather than the more busy beachfront.

There are ATV trails nearby that allow you to enjoy some recreational activities during the day without venturing too far.

You do, however, also have easy access to the highway, and you’re close to the Confederation Bridge, which takes ten minutes to cross from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island across the Abegwell Straight! It’s 12,900 meters across open water and a popular tourist attraction to try at least once. Prince Edward Island is very beautiful too, and great for camping – as we’ve written about before.

The Important Info

Rates: $32 per night

Address: 747 Chemin Lino, Shediac, NB E4P 1Z5

7. Shediac Center For Speed

The Shediac Center For Speed is a hugely popular destination attraction, that also provides RV and rough tent camping on-site for event-goers!

It’s one of the top tourist attractions for local events in the area, providing a venue for the Parlee Music Festival, Atlantic Stock Car Championships, Atlantic Monster Truck Nationals, and a range of other events.

You also have access to on-site fun and activities if staying here, including Go-Kart racing and the ability to race your own vehicle on the track.

Staying at the center means you don’t have to go far or worry about transport or paying higher prices for the event you’re attending.

Amenities and Facilities

The Shediac Center For Speed provides rough camping on-site, so there are no specific facilities available to campers. However, as an event-goer, you do have access to all of the event facilities, including bathrooms and food options.

There is a water refill station to ensure you always have fresh water available for drinking or cooking. You can also get rid of your garbage at the dumping station on-site.

Some of the larger events will have camping facilities set up, including showers and washrooms.

What’s Close By

The Shediac Center For Speed has a huge range of on-site activities and events. However, you’re only 4km from Parlee Beach and its warm waters which is perfect if you need a break from the motorsport or music event you’re attending.

If you need local supplies, you have Valu Foods located 3 minutes down the road so you don’t need to go far from the action.

If you go in the opposite direction, instead of ending up at Parlee Beach, you’ll be in Grand-Barachois, which provides a less touristy area for food, shopping, and local entertainment. That’s perfect if you get tired of the busy shops and entertainment in Shediac.

The Important Info

Rates: $15 per night for event guests

Address: 1157 Route 133 Grand-Barachois, New Brunswick, E4P 8C5

8. Kavanagh Farm Camping

Kavanagh Farm Camping is exactly that; you’ll be camping at a private farm as part of a bed and breakfast style camping experience!

If you’re looking to experience an extremely quiet, relaxing, and peaceful environment with babbling brooks in a place where you can watch deer run past your tent, then this is the perfect location. But you’ll still have easy accessibility to Shediac and all of the activities available in town.

There is a single site with room for 10 groups to set up their camp, so you won’t be overwhelmed by other groups or tents filling up the area.

You can tour the working farm and even collect fresh eggs for your breakfast each morning before you head out for your adventures.

Amenities and Facilities

Although this is rustic camping on a farm, you do have access to toilets, fresh water, and garbage bins to get rid of your waste.

There is an area with a picnic table, and you have access to a kitchen to make your own food. Otherwise, you can build a fire and cook your food over an open flame.

There are no showers or laundry facilities available, so you’ll need to rough it or go into town.

If you’re willing to pay a little extra, the farm does provide a number of services, including a shuttle to Parlee Beach, farm-fresh breakfasts, firewood, and if you don’t want to get your own food and supplies, they can go out and get them for you.

What’s Close By

The farm campsite is quite rural and that’s all part of the experience. However you are only 3-5 minutes away from a local grocery store if you need supplies or food.

You’re only a 13-minute drive from Parlee Beach Provincial Park too, which provides a fun day of activities, including swimming in the warm waters, relaxing on the beach, or building sand sculptures, as well as a variety of other beach activities.

There are a range of restaurants in Shediac and in Parlee Beach Provincial Park so you can enjoy more than just campfire dinners. However, you will need a car or the shuttle service if you plan to drink while in town.

The Important Info

Rates: $40 per night

Address: Sawdust Rd, Shediac Cape, NB E4P, Canada

When’s The Best Time To Camp In Shediac?

The best time to camp in Shediac is between May to October. That’s because many of the campgrounds close outside of those months. Even in May and October, you will need to check if campgrounds have opened or closed yet.

From June to mid-September, the weather is comfortable and even quite warm, between 10 – 24 Celsius. However, the rest of the year is cool or even downright freezing with snow, so unless you want to camp outside in the snow, it’s best to stay away!

Backcountry Camping In Shediac & New Brunswick: Everything You Need To Know!

DISCLAIMER: Below we give general advice, but we always recommend staying in an official campsite. If you choose to go backcountry camping/dispersed camping, then make sure you do so with someone who already knows the area where you’re planning on camping for your own safety.

Backcountry camping, also known as wild camping, is generally tolerated in Canada. Although there are certain areas you are prohibited from camping in. These include:

• National Parks
• Cities
• Provincial Parks

It’s worth mentioning that rangers and conservation officers do patrol regularly and will hand out hefty fines to people backcountry camping in these prohibited areas.

Sometimes it is possible to purchase a ‘backcountry’ camping permit. That would then allow you to camp in a park outside of a campground. Not all parks offer them – and they’re not widely advertised. If there’s somewhere you wish to camp, then get in contact with local authorities to see if these are available.

As for where you are allowed to camp, Canadian residents can camp for free on Crown Land – which is publicly owned land. Thankfully 89% of land in Canada is classed as ‘Crown Land’. However much of that is still off limits – National Parks, for example, are also Crown Land.

In general: If land is publicly owned, it’s not one of the prohibited areas that we listed above, and you are far from settlements – you’re likely to be on Crown Land that can be camped on for free. However, keep an eye on local maps for confirmation, and obey any signs that say camping is prohibited

There are rules for backcountry camping on Crown Land, however:

• You may camp in the same place for 21 days only in one calendar year.
• After 21 days you must move to a place at least 100m away if you wish to continue camping.
• While free for citizens and Canadian residents, non-residents must obtain a permit to wild camp on Crown Land.

And in New Brunswick in particular, backcountry camping is only allowed where no official sites are available. In that case you may find it hard to argue with any local official that backcountry camping in Shediac is allowed considering the sheer number of campgrounds in and around Shediac.

If you do plan on backcountry camping in Shediac, make sure you stick to the rules above, and stay far away from any official campgrounds and campsites.

Shediac Camping: Bear Safety

Like many areas of Canada, there are bears roaming around forested areas of New Brunswick. While encounters are rare, you must take steps to avoid attracting them to your campsite. 

With that being the case we advise:

• If you have a vehicle nearby, store food there rather than in a tent.
• Use a bear box or bear canister to store food, rubbish, and anything with a scent.
• Don’t pitch your tent near where food is being stored.
• Never approach any bear, regardless of its size.
• Don’t spray anything with a scent – that can attract bears.

Bird Watching & Scenic Walks To Try When Camping In Shediac

Shediac provides a perfect environment for bird watching with numerous bodies of water and multiple forested areas for a range of migratory and local birds that can be seen year-round.

There are multiple bird watching trails that have been set up in different areas so that you can experience and find a variety of different birds. Or take all the trails and tick off finding as many birds as possible!

1. Lower Scoudouc River and Lower Shediac Bay

This is a great location for spotting waterfowl from October to May. You’ll see Great Blue Herons and a range of raptors, waders, and gulls.

Of particular interest is an Osprey viewing platform, which is reused each year and can be safely viewed from Bateman Mill Road, where it intersects with Route 134.

You may see the rare Barrow’s Goldeneye during winter, a sea duck with a minimal population in Eastern Canada.

2. Shediac Bay (Millenium Trail North)

As you continue along Shediac Bay and the walking trails there, you’ll come across wooded areas, marshes, and a cove where shorebirds and waterfowl can be viewed. Various songbirds will be found in the wooded areas too.

Some of the birds you’ll see are the Common Tern, which use a floating platform in the bay which is close to the shore. That provides protection from land predators. Terns are found in Shediac from May to July.

Tree Swallows can be observed in various locations starting in April, thanks to the nesting boxes set up for them around Shediac Bay, including Pointe-du-Chêne bridges, lagoons, John Lyons Park, and Rotary Park.

You’ll also find Kingfishers, White-throated Sparrow, American Redstarts, Great Blue Heron, and Greater Yellow Legs all around the Shediac Bay area.

3. Pointe-du-Chêne Wharf

The Shediac Wharf is a great observation area during Spring and Fall when migratory birds are passing through Shediac. You’ll find a wide variety of migrating sea ducks, loons, grebes, gulls, and other shorebirds.

Some of the more interesting birds to keep an eye out for are Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated Loon, and Red-necked Grebe.

4. The Forest (Millennium Trail South)

Walking through this forested area you’ll come across freshwater marshes, woodlands, an alder grove, and an Acadian forest of mature trees (which sometimes have Great Blue Herons nesting at the top).

You’ll find a variety of forest birds in this area, including Cedar Waxwing, Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, and Pileated Woodpecker.

5. The Lagoon (Cap-Brulé Road, Boudreau West)

Provided at the lagoon is a viewing tower that’s great for bird watching year-round; on one side are the lagoon ponds, and on the other are marshes.

Typical birds you may find here are Wood Duck, Bonaparte’s Gull, Red-necked Duck, Swamp Sparrow, American Wigeon, and a variety of other waterfowl, warblers, shorebirds, gulls, and even raptors.

Shediac Lobster Festival & Lobster Experience

Shediac is known and recognized as the Lobster Capital Of The World, and as such, there is a Shediac Lobster Festival that happens around the 1st or 2nd week of July each year! It’s a great time to stay in the area, not just for that but also because July 1st is Canada Day, which is another big celebration.

The Shediac Lobster Festival provides a huge amount of food centered around lobster to sample, along with live entertainment from bands and comedians, and a host of other activities that are family-friendly.

If you love lobster and want to try the best the world has to offer, then be in Shediac the 1st or 2nd week of July.

Shediac Lobster Experience

One thing that you should experience while in Shediac is one of the lobster cruises where you can adventure out on a boat and learn about lobster fishing.

The boat tours are typically 2 ½ hours long, and depending on your interest; you can also get hands-on experience.

You’ll have the opportunity to haul in your own lobster trap, learn how to crack open and cook a lobster correctly, and then enjoy the remainder of your boat cruise by dining on a lobster that you caught yourself. It’s a pretty special and unique experience!

Shediac Camping: Scavenger Hunt Game!

If you’re looking to keep kids amused while camping in Shediac – or you fancy having some fun for yourself – then we’ve created a printable scavenger hunt game!

Save the image and print it out, then tick off what you find and achieve during your camping holiday.

The game encourages players to get out and discover wildlife and nature, as well as make new friends and do fun camping activities. Enjoy!